The Myth of Learning Difficulties: Why Your Child Isn't "Behind"

Have you ever felt frustrated when your child struggles to learn something new? The education system often labels these struggles as "learning difficulties," but what if this is a misconception?

In my years of working with children, I've never met a child who truly finds learning difficult. Children are natural learners, absorbing information every day. Our role as adults is to observe where they are in their development and facilitate their journey forward.

The problem arises when there's a mismatch between what children naturally learn through exploration and what the education system demands of them. The curriculum often doesn't align with natural stages of development, leading to unnecessary stress and the misconception that some children are "behind."

In reality, many children simply aren't developmentally ready for certain tasks. When they reach the right milestone, the learning "clicks" into place effortlessly. It's not always about endless practice; it's about brain development and neural pathways.

Practice is important, but practice without progress often signals an underlying developmental issue. Once that's addressed, learning becomes easier.

Forcing a child to repeat a task they're not ready for creates stress and resistance. It can lead to negative beliefs like "I can't" or "I'm not smart." Instead, we should focus on helping children develop the skills and neural pathways they need to succeed.

It's like trying to teach a newborn to walk. It's impossible because they lack the physical development and neural organisation required. Yet, a year later, they walk naturally without any help.  They know when they're ready.

Imagine the frustration and stress if you pushed a newborn to walk before they were ready. This is what we do when we force children to learn before their brains are prepared.

So, what can you do? Observe your child, understand their developmental stage, and provide activities that align with their natural learning journey. Celebrate their progress, and don't be afraid to question educational expectations that don't seem to fit.

Remember, every child learns at their own pace.  The key is to support their unique development, not force them into a one-size-fits-all mould.